Toyota car plants, Thai Airways cargo hit by Thailand floods

BANGKOK: Floods in Thailand have caused the temporary shutdown of four Toyota plants and suspension of cargo operations of flag carrier Thai Airways , the companies said on Wednesday.

The capital Bangkok was declared a disaster-affected zone after it was hit with heavy rainfall of 320 mm (12.6 inches) in just three days late last week, nearly as much as the city typically has in all of September.

Flooding has disrupted parts deliveries to Toyota’s Thai unit, which has suspended operations at three plants and a facility at its joint venture Toyota Auto Works, a Toyota spokesperson said.

It said it was coordinating with suppliers to restore deliveries and restart operations as soon as possible.

Thai Airways said many of its employees were unable to travel to work and the airline has stopped accepting inbound and outbound cargo from Wednesday through to October 6, adding those services would resume as soon as possible.

At least 24 people have been killed in the flooding, with 44 of Thailand’s 77 provinces affected, the interior ministry said.

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Flooding was still prevalent in 32 of those provinces on Wednesday.

Government Spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises said the death toll was 40, citing health ministry figures.

Ekkapob said authorities were draining floodwater in Bangkok into canals and to try to return the situation to normal for residents in two or three days.

Although Bangkok’s main gateways were running, the floods caused chaos at the main Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday, with half of its personnel unable to come to work, thousands of bags piling up and many flights cancelled.